12 Best Recruiting CRM Software for Engaging Talent in 2025

Trying to fill roles with the right people has always been tricky. But lately, it’s gotten even tougher. In 2025, talent pools keep shifting. Many people want to work on their own terms. That might be remote, freelance, or something else entirely. Either way, the old hiring methods aren’t cutting it anymore.

Recruiting CRM software has proven to be reliable in managing hiring processes. Rather than waiting for talent to find you, a CRM tool enables you to have long-term relationships with candidates prior to needing to hire them. It is a forward-thinking strategy to remain ahead of the game, having the right talent within your network at all times when you require them.

This article shares 12 recruiting CRM tools worth knowing in 2025. Each one brings something unique to help teams take better control over how they attract and engage talent.

What Is a Recruiting CRM Tool and Why Does It Matter in 2025

Most people think about hiring software in terms of applicant tracking. A person applies, and then the process kicks off. But that’s only one part of the story.

A recruiting CRM tool is a system that works in the earlier stages of hiring. It’s there to help companies engage with potential candidates, sometimes months before a job actually opens up. It allows teams to nurture passive candidates, reach out to prospects, and create communication campaigns that keep people interested.

Unlike an ATS that is mainly built to process applications and organize interviews, a CRM is all about building interest and trust ahead of time. And for companies that hire regularly, this can change everything. Instead of rushing to post jobs every time you have a need, you can pull talent from a pool of candidates who already know who you are.

In 2025, more companies are incorporating CRM tools into their businesses. In fact, based on the latest research from Statista, the global market for recruiting CRM software is projected to reach over 98.84 billion by the end of 2025.

List of the Best Recruiting CRMs

Below are our top 12 recruiting CRMs based on thorough market research. We selected them based on user reviews, market share, performance, security, and more. Note that they are widely used and have shown strong performance in actual hiring teams across various industries in the US.

1. Manatal

Manatal positions itself as a versatile recruiting CRM and ATS platform ideal for both small businesses and growing agencies. Priced competitively, it starts at $15 per user per month, moving to $35 and $55 for its mid‑ and enterprise‑level plans.

What makes Manatal stand out is its AI‑driven candidate enrichment. It scours more than 20 social and public sites to build rich profiles and only commits data with at least 70% confidence. Its Chrome extension makes LinkedIn sourcing seamless, and its AI automatically recommends and scores candidates against job descriptions.

Note that Manatal’s built‑in recruitment CRM tracks both client and candidate interactions and even offers revenue reporting at no extra cost. It integrates with Office 365, Gmail, LinkedIn, Mailchimp, Zapier, Facebook, WhatsApp, and more, with a public API for custom workflows. A 14‑day free trial is available with no credit card required.

2. Recruiterflow

Recruiterflow is a modern applicant tracking and recruiting CRM solution, best suited for growing recruiting firms and in-house recruiting teams that need smart automation without enterprise sophistication. It starts at $99 per user/month to $129 for advanced features like workflow automation, priority support, and custom SLAs.

One of the big highlights is its AI-first RecOps configuration. It features AIRA, a conversational AI assistant, to pull candidate or client background and build job postings or outreach emails. Recruiterflow also has a Kanban-style deal pipeline for managing client relationships. And it has a Chrome extension to simplify LinkedIn sourcing.

While its support center may be richer, users always speak highly of its user-friendly interface, quick live support, and clearly explained date-based scheduling of emails. More than 1,700 recruitment agencies rely on Recruiterflow to reduce time to placement, improve teamwork, and scale at a fraction of the expense.

3. TrackerRMS

Tracker RMS is a full‑suite ATS and CRM platform designed primarily for staffing and recruitment agencies, though it is equally well‑suited to in‑house teams seeking sales‑style pipeline management. It offers modular pricing starting with a core package at about  $80 per user per month.

What makes TrackerRMS unique is its blend of recruitment and sales tools within a single platform. Tracker’s AI‑powered candidate assessment tool analyses key factors such as past performance in similar roles, role fit, and peer feedback to surface top talent. It also automates nurturing sequences across both candidate and client pipelines.

The platform integrates seamlessly with Gmail, Outlook, LinkedIn, and major job boards. Plus, it offers a mobile app for iOS and Android. Additional highlights include a client portal, built‑in onboarding and compliance workflows, and open API support. Users appreciate its customization, reporting dashboards, and weekly support sessions.

4. Salesforce CRM

Salesforce CRM is a robust solution for organizations of all sizes aiming to modernize their recruitment operations. Plans start at $25 per user per month for the Starter Suite, while the Pro edition begins at $100 per user per month and adds advanced tools like real‑time predictive AI and Slack integration.

We like Salesforce’s unique Agentforce autonomous AI agents, who work around the clock to engage candidates, schedule meetings, answer queries, and surface top talent by leveraging data cloud insights. Plus, the platform integrates seamlessly with Sales Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Service Cloud, Slack, Tableau, and thousands of third‑party tools via a robust API ecosystem. This real‑time automation and deep integration suite make Salesforce an ideal choice for enterprises seeking full‑funnel recruiting efficiency.

5. Recruit CRM

Recruit CRM integrates customer relationship management and applicant tracking in a single simplified platform. It is meant for small and medium-sized agencies. Pricing is as low as $85 per user per month billed annually, and it reaches up to $165 for the Enterprise version.

It excels in terms of making recruiters more efficient. You can source from ZoomInfo or LinkedIn directly using the browser extension, and AI-driven scoring informs you about which prospects are the best match for a job. The two-way matching algorithm is especially convenient, as it enables you to see job and candidate information side-by-side.

A few other features provided are Kanban pipelines, automated emails, resume formatting, and even in-app texting. Reporting is also rich and visual, with KPIs and performance metrics at your fingertips. Customers enjoy the clean interface and 24/7 support. And, of course, there’s a free trial as well if you’d like to try before buying.

6. Hubspot CRM

HubSpot CRM gives you a surprisingly generous free plan that includes essentials like contact tracking, email templates, live chat, and up to 1 million contacts. For teams needing more, the Starter tier costs around $15 to $20 per user monthly, while the Pro plan unlocks deeper automation and reports.

What makes HubSpot special in 2025 is its AI, named Breeze. It uses OpenAI’s tech to improve your recruiting workflows by enriching candidate data automatically. There’s also a Deep Research Connector that brings real insights straight into your CRM view. This is with no extra digging needed.

Custom pipelines let you mirror each hiring stage. Drip campaigns and outreach sequences keep candidates engaged while metrics like time-to-hire and engagement are tracked clearly. When it comes to ATS integration, you get Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Zoom, Calendly, and more. HubSpot is a great option for firms who want lots of features but without the stress of a steep learning curve.

7. Act!

Act! CRM offers a blend of cloud and on‑premise deployment options, making it a great fit for small and midsize businesses that need offline access or want full control over their data. Plans start at approximately $30 per user per month when billed annually, and a 14‑day free trial is available from Swiftpage.

What sets Act! apart is both its flexibility and its mobile‑friendly foundation it was built on decades ago. You can run it from the cloud, install it locally for offline use, or use mobile apps to stay connected on the go.

Additionally, the platform offers centralized contact records tied to clients, candidates, and prospects. This is along with marketing‑style automation tools to nurture relationships through task reminders, email campaigns, and follow‑ups. Its task‑and‑activity module helps recruiters prioritize interviews, calls, and candidate touchpoints.

8. Zoho Recruit

Zoho Recruit offers an end-to-end recruiting CRM and ATS platform tailored for small and mid-sized teams. It’s designed to cover everything from sourcing to onboarding in one system, removing the need to juggle different tools. Pricing starts at $25 per user monthly, and there’s also a basic free plan for very lean teams.

Where it really delivers is custom automation. It helps simplify tasks like interview booking, sending out status updates, and automating email flows. It also connects to job boards and social platforms, which gives you a wider reach when searching for candidates.

Team collaboration features are well thought out, and you can set hiring workflows that match how your team operates day-to-day. Its reporting dashboard isn’t just numbers. It’s visual and makes trends clear. So if you’re looking for something that offers depth without overcomplicating things, this one’s worth a look.

9. Bullhorn

Bullhorn is purpose-built for staffing firms, especially the larger ones handling huge candidate pools. It may not offer native tools for sourcing new candidates, but that’s not really what it’s for. Its core strength lies in helping firms re-engage with existing candidates using clever automation and well-timed email sequences that work across time zones.

You can create personalised outreach that doesn’t feel like spam, and it’s all automated based on candidate behaviour. The search function is strong. It supports advanced Boolean logic, lets you save your most used filters, and helps rediscover past candidates fast.

One limitation is that it doesn’t come with built-in candidate data enrichment. You’ll need third-party add-ons for that. With reporting tools, forecasting features, and integrations with a wide marketplace of tools, Bullhorn stands out among many. Its pricing starts at around $99 but varies depending on what features your agency needs most.

10. JobAdder

JobAdder caters to both staffing firms and internal teams, but it’s especially popular with agencies. One of its main draws is a built-in integration with SEEK Talent Search Connect. That link gives you access to more than 12 million candidate profiles, with fresh updates pulled automatically.

Communication tools include email, SMS, and WhatsApp outreach. You can message up to 500 people at once, which is perfect for bigger campaigns. The CRM also offers an ATS connection with systems like BambooHR, keeping your workflows tidy from sourcing all the way to hire.

When it comes to pricing, it isn’t public. Based on what many users say, costs do tend to rise with time. But those who stick with it usually do so for the collaboration tools and how well it streamlines day-to-day tasks. So if your team is ready to grow fast and wants a platform that can keep pace, JobAdder’s a solid option.

11. Crelate

Crelate is a recruitment CRM and ATS tailored primarily for mid-sized staffing agencies and executive search firms. While its user interface feels somewhat dated and complex compared to newer platforms, its search capabilities are highly flexible and powerful. Users can apply quick filters, conduct Boolean searches, and even search within specific campaigns using parameters like status and date ranges.

Crelate’s profile enrichment tool automatically gathers essential candidate information, although this feature requires an additional purchase. The platform integrates smoothly with Outlook and offers email tracking, client submittals, and a candidate portal. Mobile apps exist but have limited functionality compared to the desktop version.

When it comes to pricing, it starts at $99 per user per month, with a higher-tier Business Plus plan and custom options available.

12. Vincere

Vincere is a sophisticated CRM platform built specifically for staffing agencies aiming to streamline recruitment operations and improve placement efficiency. The platform offers an all-in-one solution that combines candidate, client, and job order management.

Vincere’s standout features include advanced candidate-job matching algorithms and multi-channel candidate engagement via social media and job boards. Plus, it has a detailed pipeline tracking with performance metrics. The CRM also supports automated workflows that accelerate lead nurturing and simplify client collaboration. Communication logging is automatic, ensuring a complete record of interactions, while integrated timesheet and invoicing features help agencies manage back-office tasks seamlessly.

Note that Vincere’s pricing is customised. This reflects its tailored approach for mid to large recruitment firms. It also has the ability to integrate smoothly with existing ATS systems. All these and more make it an attractive choice for agencies looking for a scalable, data-driven CRM that supports real-time recruiter performance analysis.

How to Choose the Best Recruitment Software

Choosing the right recruitment ATS or CRM software can be a little overwhelming, with so many options to choose from. But from my own experience of having tried so many systems, some things just stand out as the benchmark against which to measure the good from the great. Let me explain how I distinguish.

1. Workflow Automation

At the heart of any recruitment software is its search function. If it isn’t going to let me rapidly find the best candidates, it’s largely unnecessary. The more intelligent and responsive the search, the better. I want tools that can accomplish more than basic keyword searches. Those that use AI or advanced filtering to suggest possibilities that I had not thought to search for. It prevents so much wasted time and lets me uncover gems in my database that I didn’t know were there.

2. Communication Management

Recruitment is not just talent finding; it’s building relationships. Your software of choice must be able to help you communicate professionally and frequently. Be it through tailored email sequences, candidate portals, or bespoke job pages, these are key considerations. It’s also vital that the platform will safeguard candidate data, making each interaction feel safe and authentic. Because at the end of the day, candidates will only approach you first if they trust you.

3. Candidate Data Management

Nothing is worse than chasing down an excellent candidate to discover that their contact data are no longer current. For this reason, profile enrichment is important. Good recruitment software should feature automation or assist in having regularly updated candidate files and adding new data from social media or other sources. It is perhaps not the most exciting capability, but it is something that is necessary to keep an effective talent pool in shape.

4. Team Size

Are you a small team filling a few spots, or an agency with hundreds to sort through? Some CRMs are designed for size and complexity, while others excel at simplicity and ease of use. Understanding where you fit narrows down your choices. Paying for features that you’ll never see or fighting software too simplistic is pointless.

5. Performance

I’m a firm believer that recruitment software has to be user-friendly. No one has time to wrestle with cluttered menus and complicated workflows when tasks need to be accomplished. If your recruiters don’t enjoy working in the system, adoption will be low, and you’ll deprive yourself of the benefits you need. This is why I always recommend trying demos or free trials, and seeing how easy it is for your staff to get comfortable with the platform.

6. Integration Capabilities

Your standard hiring team is built atop a software suite of job boards, ATS tools, communication tools, calendars, and more. That new CRM has to integrate neatly into that ecosystem. So I look for platforms that have lots of integration points and open APIs. That way, I can maintain my existing workflows without any hassle.

7. Reporting and Analytics

A good recruitment platform should also provide you with insights. I’m talking about clear, actionable analytics like pipeline health of candidates, recruiter productivity, time-to-hire metrics, and more. Advanced platforms now have AI-based predictive analytics, which help forecast hiring success and remove routine tasks. The best tools provide such data in ready-to-gobble forms on clean dashboards, and not tangled spreadsheets.

CRM vs. ATS — What’s the Difference?

On first impression, recruitment CRM and ATS software can appear quite similar. Both of them handle candidates and assist recruiters with their recruitment. But the reality is they are designed to do two different jobs and address two different issues.

As mentioned earlier, Recruitment CRM is relationship-oriented. It is designed to form and build long-term relationships with prospects. Think of it as stay-in-touch-with-talent even when there is no immediate opening. It helps recruiters maintain a talent pool, retain passive candidates, and make interactions customized in a way that by the time the right role comes up, such candidates already know and trust your brand.

On the other hand, an ATS is directed toward the hiring process. It is employed to handle applications for current openings, thus allowing recruiters to sort resumes, schedule interviews, track candidates as they progress through stages in the hiring process, and handle the administrative side of the recruitment process.

The differences between these two are disappearing, though. Increasingly, more recruitment solutions nowadays bring CRM and ATS functionality into one system, attempting to cover the whole recruitment process. Good examples are listed in this guide above.

Final Thoughts

And as we move further into 2025, here is one thing that is certain. The companies that build long-term relationships with candidates are the companies that will succeed in the talent war. Posting and waiting simply don’t cut it anymore. The right recruiting CRM can turn your hiring from reactive to strategic.

Each of these tools does something different. Some are more appropriate for agencies, and some are absolutely best used in-house. The idea is to find the one that fits your way of working. With the right CRM, you won’t just hire faster. You’ll build stronger relationships, create a more effective candidate experience, and stay ahead of the competition at all times. So select one today and find the perfect talent your company yearns for.